After two blizzards in what many call a horrible winter season, warm weather is finally upon New Jersey, as the Spring Equinox began on March 20.
As the month ends and the days, hopefully, get warmer, students are looking forward to spending more time outside—by themselves or with friends—partaking in some of their favorite spring activities.
If you want to try some new spring activities, here’s where you can get started off campus.
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
Essex County, New Jersey—the county South Orange and Seton Hall alike call home—boasts the largest display of cherry blossoms in the country.
For the 50th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark’s Branch Brook Park, there will be events like a 10k run, a cherry blossom bike race, and ‘Bloom Fest’ — a lineup including Japanese cultural demonstrations, live music, a crafter’s marketplace and more.
The festival runs from April 14 to April 19. ‘Bloom Fest’ takes place April 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Mountain Reservation
If spring festivals aren’t really your thing, hiking at the South Mountain Reservation may be a better option for you.
South Mountain Reservation is just minutes away from SHU’s campus. It’s a nature reserve in Essex County, spanning portions of Maplewood, Millburn, West Orange and (obviously) South Orange.
The reservation contains a 36-mile Lenape Trail perfect for hiking. There’s much to see, including luscious trees, streams, rivers, waterfalls, and the views of New York, Elizabeth, Staten Island, and Newark.
Turtle Back Zoo
If it’s not the greenery and landscape you enjoy, maybe you’d enjoy watching wildlife at the Turtle Back Zoo.
The Turtle Back Zoo, just a town over in West Orange, is home to many exotic animals. From African Penguins to White-Cheeked Gibbons, there is no room for boredom when there’s much to see.
If watching animals in their habitats isn’t intriguing, Turtle Back Zoo offers alternatives. Attractions include a zoo train, an endangered species carousel ride, and more. Animal experiences include anything from feeding goats and giraffes to pony rides and visiting the butterfly tent.
If you’re more in the mood for an event, the zoo offers Brew at the Zoo night, where you can enjoy craft brews or non-alcoholic drinks and food from various vendors. If that’s not your speed, maybe Prairie Dogs and Pastries is. There, you can get up close and meet Prairie Dogs while enjoying bagels and coffee.
The zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult ticket prices are $22.
The Waterfront
What doesn’t scream more relaxing than enjoying some time on a boat?
The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange has a 1.7 mile reservoir walking path, paddle boats, and a picnic area. You can enjoy your time paddling on a two- or four-person paddle boat on the water or you can take a calming walk around the reservoir (or both) and maybe enjoy a picnic afterwards.
If picnics aren’t your thing, you’re in luck. On the water sits McLoone’s Boathouse, where you can enjoy a meal indoors or on the outdoor patio. McLoone’s has a breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner and happy hour menus.
Tickets for paddle boating are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. A two-person paddle boat is $17 and a four-person paddle boat is $21.
Essex County Safari MiniGolf
Located right near the Turtle Back Zoo and The Waterfront is Essex County Safari MiniGolf.
This award-winning 19-hole course gives you a taste of Africa as you putt through gorillas, hippos and many other native African animals.
The course takes you on a ride as you begin golfing in the Sahara Desert, moving through the African Grasslands and Mount Kilimanjaro.
It’s the closest thing you could find to an exotic experience around campus—it’s just like you’re in Africa, except you’re not. It’s just New Jersey.
So, the next weekend you find yourself bored on campus, consider some of these activities as options for you and your friends to enjoy.
Dominique Mercadante is the Editor-in-Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.
